President John Mahama has officially declared July 1st previously marked as Republic Day as Ghana’s National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a planning committee set up to oversee the celebration of the new national event.
Addressing attendees, President Mahama emphasized the importance of national unity and religious harmony, highlighting Ghana’s peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths.
“One of Ghana’s greatest blessings is the harmony with which we practice our diverse faiths. Christians, Muslims and traditionalists, we worship differently but we work together as one people. This is a national treasure that we must never take for granted,” he remarked.
The President underlined Ghana’s unique position in promoting religious tolerance, quoting scripture from both the Qur’an and the Bible. He referenced Sura Al-Hujurat Chapter 49:13 and Romans 12:18 to illustrate the importance of peaceful living and mutual respect.
“In a world where religion often divides, in Ghana, we shine as an example of our unity in diversity,” he stated.
Declaring the new observance, he said, “This is the spirit with which we must move forward, and so with conviction, reverence and unity of purpose, I hereby declare the Republic Day 1st of July of every year also as Ghana’s official National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.”
The planning committee, led by former minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has been tasked with organizing a meaningful and inclusive national event.
In his response, Mr. Afriyie Ankrah pledged the committee’s dedication to fulfilling its mandate. “We assure you, Mr President and the good people of Ghana that we will discharge our duties with diligence and dedication. We understand the weight of the responsibility entrusted to us,” he affirmed.
He explained that the day would transcend ceremony, becoming a moment of collective spiritual reflection and appreciation.
“It is about nurturing a spiritual culture of gratitude, about fostering unity in diversity and about elevating our national consciousness to appreciate the hand of God in the affairs of our country,” he said.
Mr. Afriyie Ankrah also stressed the committee’s commitment to inclusive engagement. “We will consult broadly, we will engage inclusively, we will bring everybody on board from every region, every faith, every background because the national day of thanksgiving belongs to all of us.”
He concluded with a hopeful message, expressing his desire that Ghana’s initiative would inspire other nations.
“It is our hope and prayer that the work we do will not only make Ghana proud but will serve as inspiration to other nations that the people who acknowledge God, give thanks to Him and live in unity can achieve their impossible,” he said.
